Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that she had parked the vehicle in the driveway near the garage of her friend's residence, and 10 minutes later, she was informed that the vehicle had caught on fire. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire from the front seats onward. The contact stated that the fire expanded to the garage, causing the whole residence to catch on fire. The contact stated that the five adults and two children, who were occupying the residence immediately exited the residence. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. The contact did not recall whether a police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was totaled. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that upon entering her vehicle, there was an abnormal mildew odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while cleaning her vehicle she noticed mold on the front and rear passenger's side carpet. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they confirmed that mold had formed inside the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered several articles online related to the issue. The information stated that the firewall was not completed during the manufacturing process; therefore, the vehicle was susceptible to mold forming inside the vehicle. The contact informed the dealer of her findings and was informed that they would look into her findings. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while it rained or after the vehicle had gone through a car wash, there was water entering the vehicle. The contact stated that there would be water on the front passenger's side floor. The contact stated that there was mold inside the vehicle and the floorboard was full of water. While having the vehicle detailed, he was informed about the mold and water on the floorboard. The service shifter message was also displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 23-015-16 and TSB: 23-021-20. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed about diagnostic testing and that there was no warranty coverage for the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate was unlocked; however. the liftgate failed to open as intended. The contact noticed a burning odor. The contact drove the vehicle for a short distance, and the liftgate opened with the door alarm and warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown speed, there was smoke coming from the liftgate. Fellow motorists alerted her son of the failure as he pulled over and allowed the liftgate to cool down. The contact stated that her son was able to drive the vehicle home without further incidence; however, the liftgate failed to open. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the dashboard was separating from the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the dashboard was either separating due to not having enough glue, or the glue that was used for the dashboard had not cured properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
The contact owns a vehicle 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and determined that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The power liftgate stopped working. This is the exact issue described in the 23V-338 / 49A Recall. The year, make, and model of my car are the same as detailed in the recall, but this specific VIN is not included. The issue is due to an electrical short that poses a fire hazard. There is no manual way to open the liftgate, it completely relies on the functionality of the electric system. It is clear that the 23V-338 / 49A Recall should include a wider range of VINs including mine.
Related recalls
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary.
Body complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the body & structure of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 2% of the model year's 1,411 complaints. The component named most often is body (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Cherokee body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-338 (hatchback/liftgate, May 11, 2023); NHTSA recall 15V-826 (hatchback/liftgate, Dec 9, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Cherokee body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.